Current:Home > MyDancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her -Visionary Wealth Guides
Dancer Órla Baxendale’s Final Moments Revealed Before Eating Cookie That Killed Her
Burley Garcia View
Date:2025-04-11 06:14:01
New details are emerging about Órla Baxendale's final moments.
The New York dancer, who died Jan. 11 at age 25, took precautions to prevent her death, according to her family attorney.
At a social gathering earlier this month, Baxendale went into anaphylactic shock due to a severe allergic reaction from eating a cookie that contained peanuts—although the label did not disclose the ingredient, her lawyer said.
"Because Orla was so vigilant and so careful with everything she touched, she actually Googled 'soy nut,' which is on the package," her attorney Marijo Adimey told ABC News, "wanting to make sure that a soy nut wasn't a nut." (Soy nuts are soybeans, not tree nuts.)
After she took a bite of Stew Leonard's Vanilla Florentine Cookie, Baxendale began having a reaction. Her friends rushed her to the hospital and used her EpiPen, per the outlet, but she sadly didn't make it.
Stew Leonard Jr.—the CEO of the supermarket chain that sold the desserts—said they were not informed that the supplier had changed the recipe from soy nuts to peanuts.
In response, the manufacturer Cookies United publicly shared a note the company allegedly sent out months prior, informing vendors they were adding peanuts as an ingredient in the holiday cookies.
"Unfortunately, considering the tragedy of these circumstances, we need to point out that Stew Leonard's was notified by Cookies United in July of 2023 that this product now contains peanuts and all products shipped to them have been labeled accordingly," Cookies United said in a Jan. 23 press release. "This product is sold under the Stew Leonard's brand and repackaged at their facilities. The incorrect label was created by, and applied to, their product by Stew Leonard's."
The supermarket recalled mislabeled cookies that had been sold from Nov. 6 to Dec. 31 at their stores in Danbury and Newington, Conn.
Baxendale's family has not spoken out about the incident, but have been communicating their grief through their lawyer.
"They're too distraught to speak," Adimey added. "They want this story out so it doesn't happen again."
Baxendale, a U.K. native, is being remembered by the dance community for her lively personality and talent for performing.
"For someone to leave us so young and so soon at the height of career is a tragedy," her dance instructor Guillermo Asca told ABC. "She was vibrant, dynamic, kooky, someone who didn't take herself seriously but took work seriously."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (164)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Watch family members reunite with soldiers after 9 months of waiting
- Early voting begins for North Carolina primary runoff races
- Soap operas love this cliche plot. Here's why many are mad, tired and frustrated.
- A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
- Watch family members reunite with soldiers after 9 months of waiting
- NFL draft trade tracker: Full list of deals; Minnesota Vikings make two big moves
- Detroit-area man charged with manslaughter in fatal building explosion
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- 17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion
Ranking
- 'Most Whopper
- Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes take commanding 3-0 leads in NHL playoffs
- Chicago Bears select QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL draft
- Celebrate National Pretzel Day: Auntie Anne's, Wetzel's Pretzels among places to get deals
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- The Best Waterproof Jewelry for Exercising, Showering, Swimming & More
- Starbucks offering half off drinks Thursday: How to get the deal
- Suspect in fatal shooting of ex-Saints player Will Smith sentenced to 25 years in prison
Recommendation
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
Georgia hires one of Simone Biles' coaches to lead women's gymnastics team
Few small popular SUVs achieve success in new crash prevention test aimed at reducing accident severity
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death for backing protests
Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
Fleeing suspect fatally shot during gunfire exchange with police in northwest Indiana
The Best Jean Shorts For Curvy Girls With Thick Thighs
The windmill sails at Paris’ iconic Moulin Rouge have collapsed. No injuries are reported